SPYSHOTS: W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class strips camo

Through our European spy photographers, we’ve seen the progression of the W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class as it slowly sheds more and more of its disguise with each passing set of spyshots. The latest ones we have here are the most revealing yet and leaves just that little bit less to the imagination.

The exterior design – derivative of the W205 C-Class and W222 S-Class – is much as it was before, with C-shaped headlights and large grille (Avantgarde version here with dinner plate-sized Tristar badge), but here the lower air intake is completely exposed for the first time. It’s a full-width item, unlike its siblings’ three-intake arrangement, and the resulting more aggressive look makes the car look almost like an AMG variant.

Also revealed for the first time is the rear valence of the car, although to be honest there’s not much to see here. It’s the typical downturned Mercedes design with integrated exhausts – in fact, it looks little different from the outgoing facelifted W212 in this regard.

The W213 looks to be slightly bigger than the current car for increased cabin space; however, the adoption of the Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) as used on the C- and S-Class should see the weight dropped by as much as 100 kg. Previous spyshots have indicated that it’ll have a similar interior to the S-Class, with an integrated COMAND display and instrument binnacle, large wood panelling and circular air vents.

Powertrain choices should be the usual turbocharged four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines; the six-pot mills are expected to be all-new. A hot AMG E 63 – utilising the GT and C 63‘s 4.0 litre biturbo V8 – will come later with two variants, the most powerful of which is expected to push as much as 600 hp. On the greener side, a plug-in hybrid variant will arrive down the line as well.

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